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Silverstone F2: Prema's Gelael withdraws hours before feature race

Prema Racing driver Sean Gelael has withdrawn from this weekend's Silverstone Formula 2 round citing 'personal reasons', after being given a grid-drop just before the first race

Gelael was on a flying lap in practice on Friday when he encountered Louis Deletraz in the middle of Brooklands corner and, with nowhere to go, hit Deletraz.

Carlin's Deletraz was able to continue, but the impact effectively ended Gelael's session.

Gelael qualified 18th, allied to his limited track time, but on Saturday afternoon the stewards issued a statement to say he was to blame for the incident and had been awarded a three-place grid drop.

F2's feature race is scheduled to begin at 3.45pm UK time on Saturday.

A statement issued by Gelael's Prema Racing squad read: "Prema Racing regrets to announce that driver Sean Gelael will not take part in the Silverstone races due to personal reasons following the events that occurred in the first part of the weekend."

Prema team principal Rene Rosin added: "We are sad to see Sean sit out of the races but we respect his decision.

"We look forward to giving our 100% to score the best possible results here at Silverstone."

Referring to the practice incident, a statement issued by Formula 2 said: "The Stewards determined that the Prema driver [Gelael] misjudged the position of car #1 [Deletraz] in the corner.

"Gelael's right tyre made contact with the front left tyre of Deletraz in the corner which broke the Indonesian's suspension.

"After clarification of the wording of the 2019 FIA Formula 2 Sporting Regulations Article 38.3, the stewards have decided to reconsider their initial decision and have given a drop of three grid places to Gelael for today's feature race at Silverstone.

"He will now start from P20 at the back of the grid."

Gelael, team-mate to Ferrari junior Mick Schumacher, lies 16th in the standings after a tricky start to the season.

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